Hi.

What year is van?

Seems from his website it is an 87 Vanagon.

He has a hydrualic clutch. There is no cable.

If he can "change" gears with engine off, but not while driving, it is
likely a clutch problem. A sudden loss of clutch may be due to leak in
clutch hydrualics, or master or slave clutch cylinder is failing or
failed, or the clutch itself is not working properly.

Do a visual check for leaks at cylinders and line itself, check level
in brake/clutch fluid reservoir. With van NOT running, have someone
push clutch pedal down, (make sure van won't move) while friend watchs
to see if slave cylinder moves the clutch operating lever.

If he can't change gears at all and shifter feels vastly different,
then something is wrong with shift linkage. A quick look at Bentley
tells me to check couplings from gearshift lever to front shift rod
(inside shift mechanism housing, outside, under van), and along where
shift rod pieces join. Also check shift linkage where it connects to
tranny.

If clutch hydrualics and couplings check out, then it MAY be something
to do with clutch itself.

Hope this helps,

Neil.

On 3/20/07, chris <vanagon@frontleftspeakerposse.com> wrote:
> hey guys, Chris from www.westaygone.com called from just north of me in
> Eureka CA saying he has some sort of problem with his clutch currently.
>
> he isn't able to get it in or out of gear suddenly, but the clutch still
> feels like it has some resistance to it... - where it doesn't seem as
> though the cable would have just snapped.
>
> what can he do to try and find out what the problem is?
>
> I may be able to drive up to where they are 'stuck' and help
> troubleshoot if I know what to look for.
>
> thanks,
> chris
>

--
Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia.

http://web.mac.com/tubaneil